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Wednesday, September 11, 2013

High Octane Heroes VBT

Blurb:

What is it about heroes like Superman, Iron Man or Thor that revs our engines like no other? Is it the suit? The manly physique? Or is it the courage they display, wading in where others fear to go, to save the damsel, the city, the Earth? Are there real-life heroes who inspire the same lustful fascination? Kickass iconic heroes who enter danger zones in the name of duty, honor, country—or maybe love—who conjure images of hard, chiseled bodies, deadly glares and camouflaged features?High Octane Heroes will satisfy the reader who craves the romantic idea of that “super alpha” man. Imagine the Navy SEAL sent on a suicide mission; the damaged Army Ranger home from war; the para rescue team member jumping into frigid waters; a SWAT team member entering a human trafficker’s den… military members and based in far-flung places around the world or the smoke-jumper living next door. Then imagine the romantic possibilities of being held against that massively muscled chest by a man whose mission is to protect and serve…

Excerpt:

She was going to die. If Emery could have chosen where she would kick the bucket, it wouldn’t be a muddy pit in the middle of nowhere-Laos.

Emery shivered and pressed her back against the side of the soggy pit. There was little shelter from the drizzling rain. Bamboo bars crisscrossed overhead, and a piece of plywood had been thrown over one side. The side of her head throbbed from meeting the butt of a rifle, she was exhausted, tired and hungry. She’d stopped praying that her team in Thailand would come looking for her. The things she’d seen around the campfire before being tossed in her prison were atrocities she wouldn’t wish on her worst enemy.

The top of her prison rose, shaking loose a shower of water droplets. She shivered and hugged herself tighter. One of her kidnappers sneered at her and said something she couldn’t translate. She didn’t need words to understand what he wanted from her.

Two more men appeared, a large bundle clutched between them. As they shoved it over the edge, she realized it wasn’t a thing. The bundle was a person.

Sidney, thanks so much for stopping by. So, why don’t you tell us a little about yourself?

And thanks for having me! A little about myself? Sheesh, where to begin? I describe myself as a Dr Pepper addict, tattoo enthusiast, recovering roller derby queen and author. I’ve lived around the globe working with orphans and have landed back in Texas to start thinking about growing up. One of these days I’ll finally decide what I want to be and get to the business of adulthood. Until then, I’m having as much fun as I can!

How did you get started writing?

My best friend dared me. No lie.

You see, I grew up doing rodeo, so when we stopped and I was suddenly thrust into the public school system, I had no grasp of social norms, pop culture or what the heck I was supposed to be doing. I took all my cues from my friends and peers.

I’ll never forget the day it all started though. I was probably in the fourth grade and all the other girls were practicing cheers for when they were cheerleaders. I figured, why not join them? But my best friend, who is still my BF to this day, wasn’t having any of that. She later went on to be one of the top three academics in our graduating class.

Anyways, she looked me dead in the face when I asked her about it and said, “The cool kids write.”

Poor, ignorant me wanted so badly to be cool, I grabbed pen and paper and began a life-long obsession.

What was the inspiration for your book?

I’m currently touring around with the rest of the contributors to the High Octane Heroes anthology chatting up the book. My inspiration for the short story Once Upon a Time in Mukdahan was a combination of two things. Former-Marine-turned-underwear-model Alex Minsky and my time spent in Mukdahan, Thailand post-tsunami.

I’m a huge sap. Really. I get all choked up at commercials and the bits on the news about injured and killed military just destroy me. I often imagine happy endings for those who survive, and I think Alex Minsky is an example of taking the horrible things that happened to him, one of which was losing a leg, and turning his life around.

So what if I wrote a one-armed hero who still manages to save the woman he’s always wanted, but never dared to reach for?

What’s the one genre you haven’t written in yet that you’d like to?

This is a good question. I’d really like to write fantasy. I have an itch to write a desert, nomadic culture that revolves around horses and magic.

Are there any genres you won’t read or write in? Why?

I’ll read anything, that’s a non-issue. I stay away from writing same sex or multiple partner relationships, because the pronouns confuse me, and inevitably the characters read like a heterosexual couple anyways. I’ve tried. But I think I’m going to have to “settle” for just being a supporter of those books!

So, what are you working on right now? Got any releases planned, or still writing?

I’m always working on something!

I have a freebie that’s in the works for releasing in October called Dream Vacation . It’s a short story that was previously part of an anthology, but I received the rights back and I’m expanding it.

How Zombies Stole Christmas. I describe it as a mash up between How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Rise of the Guardians, complete with a yeti, shape shifters, zombies and a whole lot of sexy action.

The first in my Good Guys Wear Black series, Hot Tango , will be coming out sometime either this fall or winter, and I’m so excited about this book! All new genre, romantic suspense, and I get to fold my experiences playing roller derby and my time in Citizen’s Police Academy all into one book.

Lastly, I’m finishing up So Inked #3, His Marriage Bargain. The second book just released, which makes finishing up this one all that more exciting for me, because people are ready for this book and I’m ready to give it to them!

Alright, now for some totally random, fun questions.

Favorite color?Blue!

Favorite movie? Lately it’s been Shaun of the Dead. I’m so ready to go see This is the End!

Book that inspired you to become an author?Probably The Blue Sword and The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley, and The Heralds of Valdemar series by Mercedes Lackey

Alright, you have one superpower. What is it? Flying. I’d save so much in travel expenses.

You can have dinner with any 3 people, dead, alive, fictitious, etc. Who are they?My grandfather who died of Alzheimer’s. Jesus. And Helen Keller.

Last question: Which of your characters are you most like and how/why? Man, this is hard. Probably a combination of Pandora from Under His Skin and Tanya from Hot Tango.

My Review:

4 stars

I loved this anthology. I’m a huge fan of men in uniform, always have been, so I was excited to hear about this anthology. I’ll admit, I was mostly expecting the usual suspects; military men, cops, etc. And while they were all present, there were a few unexpected heroes; i.e. prison guard, EMT, and a fitness trainer. The everyday heroes that people don’t usually think about. This made me fall even more in love with this anthology.

Each story was short (10-15 pages average), but all were well written with varying degrees of heat. Part of the joy of an anthology is getting to sample different writing styles and authors, while getting the chance to reconnect with favorite authors and meet new ones. And on the downside, there are usually one or two stories that just don’t click for me for whatever reason. However, that wasn’t the case here. I enjoyed every story, and there are several I would love to see expanded or added upon.

All in all, this was a good anthology, filled with sexy heroes, amazing authors, and kickass stories. I would definitely recommend this anthology to anyone who wants to see some men in uniform in action.

It can never be said that Sidney Bristol has had a ‘normal’ life. She is a recovering roller derby queen, former missionary, and tattoo addict. She grew up in a motor-home on the US highways (with an occasional jaunt into Canada and Mexico), traveling the rodeo circuit with her parents. Sidney has lived abroad in both Russia and Thailand, working with children and teenagers. She now lives in Texas where she splits her time between a job she loves, writing, reading and belly dancing.